Radney Wood graduated magna cum laude from The University of Texas School of Law in Austin, Texas where he was Order of the Coif and a Rappaport Human Rights Scholar. Prior to law school, Radney graduated magna cum laude from Union College in Schenectady, New York with B.A. in Political Science, where he was a four-year starter on the varsity football team.
Before joining Vela Wood in 2015, Radney worked in the commercial litigation department of Baker Botts for four years where he represented clients at trial and on appeal in both federal and state court on issues ranging from copyright infringement, breach of contract, and professional malpractice to trade secret misappropriation and property disputes.
Radney is more than an Austin business lawyer; he is an active member of the Austin community, who has served on the board of directors of and volunteers for the immigration non-profit American Gateways and helped his Rugby Club, The Austin Huns, obtain 501(c)(3) status. He also routinely gives of his time and money to Friends of the Children, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of the most at-risk youth in Austin and serves on their Executive Advisory Board. Radney actively supports non-profits dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for under-represented groups through such organizations as Notley Ventures and DivInc. His legal philanthropy involves taking on multiple pro bono cases throughout the year and acting as general counsel to the environmental non-profit Project Survival Media in its effort to address and combat climate change. Radney is also a supporter of the Austin arts, including organizations such as Fusebox Festival and HOPE Outdoor Gallery.
In addition to his law practice, Radney is an avid traveler, having visited 65 countries and counting. As part of his travel, Radney has visited Brazil and Russia through State Department funded programs to discuss entrepreneurship and start-up ecosystems and learn from his gracious hosts in each country.
Select Representations
- General Counsel to multiple venture funds.
- General Counsel for Austin-based CPG company valued at over $100M
- General Counsel for Austin-based real-estate development group
- Represented lead investor in $100M Series B financing for electrification startup
- Represented Austin-based ready-to-drink alcohol manufacturer in $30M Series B financing
- Represented New York-based software company in $20M Series A financing
- Represented Austin-based CPG company in securing $25M debt facility
- Represented “Eatertainment” technology startup in over $20M in equity and debt financing
- Represented Austin-based art-park in $5M debt/equity financing to build its new facility
- Represented multiple Austin-based hospitality groups in equity financings of over $20M in the aggregate as they expand locations
Fun Facts:
- Quit his job at big law to travel the world for two years; the last six months he spent working at a ski shop in Breckenridge, Colorado.
- As a side hustle, he’s a part-time sous chef (read helper) for esteemed Austin-based private-chef Nick Middleton of y Comida.
- Is an ordained minister of the Universal Life Church ($39.99), and has officiated five weddings and counting.
- Despite years of agony, is a life-long Bills, Mets, Knicks, and Syracuse Orange fan.
- Born at home on a farm in Upstate New York, the third of six children—now that is old school.
Education:
- University of Texas Law School, J.D., Magna Cum Laude, Order of the Coif, & Rappaport Human Rights Scholar
- Union College, B.A., Political Science, Magna Cum Laude & Phi Beta Kappa
